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Yeah the admin lady at my GP tried to give me the same jive when I went to get my flu jab. But I wasn't having any of that. I told her to let me speak to the nurse or the doctor, who promptely corrected her and allowed me to get an appointment to get the jab. Go back and see the doc personally. I would suggest going to your HIV clinic, but I tried that and they turned me away, so chances are they may not have any there. Or alternatively you can go private and pay for a jab yourself (£10-15).

If you ask at your HIV Clinic here in the UK, they also hold a stock, and should give you the jab. Itís this month they get their supply, give them a call and ask, last year I also got the pneumonia jab from them.

Obviously I'm one of the luckier ones in this National lottery of Nhs health care. I've had a jab on request for several years now from my G.P., without them knowing my HIV status. Now that they do know, I automatically receive an invitation through the post to make an appointment, along with everyone else in the "at risk groups".

My clinic have offered me one in the past but I noticed that this year, I was effectively directed to my G.P. as the only option. I presume that this has more to do with the issue of whose budget the costs come from rather than any concern for my wellbeing.

I've never found getting a flu shot any problem. I got two letters this year to get mine. One from our County Health Department and one from the Clinic I go to in Cincinnati. Seems like we have plenty of supplies around here.

I got told that at first and had to go to the PCT to force my GP to give me the jab. I was given a saturday appointment, when its not normally open and was treated like a leper. its a hoorible thing to say but did you know you can get the flu jab immediately at TESCOS of all places? one small problem, its £60!! Your GP is not legally allowed to not give you the jab. Try your consultant, who can write to your Gp to request jab...just watch out for the resentment from stafff. Hope you are luckier

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I know i'm going to enjoy the party in the afterlife, but do you all mind that I'm going to be VERY late!!!

While I was at my HIV doc's office last , we were scheduling my next appt for labs, and she told me to call in October for the flu shot. I wouldn't have thought about it on my own. I'm going in 11-7-06.

(My ID doctor doesn't give them anymore. They had such a difficult time getting delivery for a few years there, and when delivery finally did happen, it was very late in the season, and most of his patients had already gone elsewhere.)

medical receptionists bless 'em. Mine has a habit of (shouting, 'cross full waiting room) things like DO YOU WANT ME TO FAX THIS OVER TO YOUR HIV CONSULTANT? I usually respond to the question, equally loudly, and then throw in another, say Is the cystitis any better?" or, how are the hot flushes? Because of these little incidents, my practice manager now sends me xmas cards, and appears, hovering nervously, every time I walk though the door

You are entitled to flu jab under current nhs and pct guidelines, cos yous in the (nicely worded) "immuno-compromised due to disease and/or treatment" category. If they still being obstructive on Monday, ask for practice managers direct line, n inform your pct that a community healthcare provider in their locality is failing to implement preventative healthcare strategies for at-risk patients.

You are under no obligation to discuss confidential health details with the receptionist - contrary to (many of) their beliefs, they not qualified to make judgements about your health or need for medical attention.

kate(if all else fails, i got no less than 4 letters here "inviting me" for flu jabs, at various locations - you welcome to have one of mine )

I don't even have a choice as far as Dr. Ben goes. I am seated with him talking about hiv shit and while I am talking he pulls this big "jaber" out of his coat pocket and sticks me. I am now use to him doing all sorts of stuff to me, I ask "whats that?".. Nothin, its just something you "need"... Eric, "its your annual flu Jab".. Oh, ok thanks.. Ouch! He also said, "this is not optional" for you.

It appears to me that things are running a little different over there. Earlier this week I received a "phone call" from the Nurse at the Clinic telling me that the next time I come in for an Appointment (Nov) you are going to get your Flu shot. I was like "ok". You definitely want to get your "jab" . Make some noise about it.

Had the discussion with my doc a few weeks ago during "normal" appt. Supposed to go back for both flu and pneumonia shots. We get flu shots for free at work, though, so I figure I'll save my insurance $$$ and let 'em jab me for free. Will go in for the pneumonia though.

I have lab reviews in the next week or two, no doubt I'll probably get it then. Doc asked if I wanted one last year, I told her it prolly wasn't necessary, then she pleaded with me to get one, so I gave in in the end. Things'll prolly end in the same manner this year...

receptionist in crowded surgery last friday, 'Why are you having a flu jab tomorrow?', me,' I really don't want to discuss it', her, 'oh your'e the one with AIDS'. this was in front of a crowded waiting room, have complained, but this is just the worst in a long line of 'slips of the tongue'. The actual GP is brilliant, with a real understanding of HIV and apologises evey time but I swear, next time she says something I'm going to say 'yes, and how is your husband, haven't seen him since we got the test results?!'. You are right, they mostly just nosey old biddies! Good luck today xx

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I know i'm going to enjoy the party in the afterlife, but do you all mind that I'm going to be VERY late!!!

I'm getting my flu shot Friday. I work for a hospital and they announced that next year the flu shot is going to be mandatory for all employees unless you go to employee health and fill out a refusal form. I've always gotten the flu shot anyway.